Christmas is a busy time for the restaurant industry and if you play your cards right... It can be the most wonderful (profitable) time of the year!
Most restaurateurs have already prepared their Christmas menus and are accepting reservations for celebratory dinners. Still, if you are looking for a few extra promotion ideas to boost the sales in your restaurant then keep reading ..
People check restaurants and read reviews online before they even consider making a reservation. Recent survey shows that 93% of people view menus online before dining out, while 49% of people perform local searches without a specific restaurant in mind.
This means that having your restaurant’s website updated with your Christmas menu, offers and events is crucial to attracting new guests. Another important thing is keeping your social media accounts up to date. Share posts and stories of your food, show off your busy restaurant and happy guests, to attract new guests!
The Christmas season is not just about Christmas parties. It’s also about ordering turkey as takeaway and enjoying it at home. Many people crave Christmas specials as soon as “All I want for Christmas” hits the radio stations. So make sure to start offering Christmas food in good time both in your restaurant and as takeaway.
If you are already using some of the most popular takeaway platforms, remember to update your menu and add special offers. You can also consider investing in your own online ordering page and save on high commissions.
Christmas time is one of the best opportunities to experiment and attract new types of guests so make sure to cater for everyone. Traditional Christmas food is all about meat but more and more people are interested in trying out vegetarian options.
Another great idea is making your restaurant family-friendly, especially around brunch time. Organizing events such as “Brunch with Santa” or “Meet the elves and decorate cookies” can really pay off. Offering the kids entertainment and the parents a quick break from the Christmas chaos will definitely fill your tables.
Many of your Christmas guests will be first time visitors so make sure they get a great first impression. Offer them a discount for their next visit to increase your chances of turning them into returning customers.